Moisture and malodor control system

Abstract

Moisture and malodor control systems are disclosed. These systems provide moisture control and the sustained delivery of active volatile compounds for imparting fragrance and controlling malodor within innumerable objects and spaces, such as shoes, gloves, closets, etc. The systems utilize a novel combination of active volatiles contained within a diluent carrier and solid adsorbing compound. In some embodiments, increased release of active volatiles is triggered by the presence of moisture in the target environment. The systems of the invention may further include an accessory component for providing fragrance to the target environment and/or an accessory component for absorbing and removing malodorous compounds from the target environment.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A composition for the control of moisture and malodor, comprising
 an adsorbing component comprising smectite clay; 
 a diluent; and 
 one or more malodor-controlling compositions. 
 
     
     
       2. The composition of  claim 1  wherein
 the adsorbing component is montmorillonite clay in granular form. 
 
     
     
       3. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein
 the diluent is selected from a group consisting of propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, di-propylene glycol, and tri-propylene glycol. 
 
     
     
       4. The composition of  claim 1  wherein
 the one or more malodor-controlling compositions comprises an essential oil. 
 
     
     
       5. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein
 the one or more malodor-controlling compositions is selected from the group consisting of carvacral, thymol, methyl salicylate, caryophyllene, citral, eugenol, eugenol acetate, limonene, linalol, terpineol, cinnamic aldehyde, citronellol, citronellal, geraniol, linalyl acetate, terpinene, anethol, sabines, essential oil of Amber, essential oil of Ambrette Seed, essential oil of Amyris, essential oil of Angelica Root, essential oil of Anise/Star Anise, essential oil of Arnica, essential oil of Basil, essential oil of Bay Laurel, essential oil of Bergamot, essential oil of Birch, essential oil of Black Pepper, essential oil of Black Spruce, essential oil of Blue Tansy, essential oil of Cajeput, essential oil of Cacao Absolute, essential oil of Cacao, essential oil of Calendula, essential oil of Caraway, essential oil of Cardamom, essential oil of Carrot, essential oil of Carrot Seed, essential oil of Cedar, essential oil of Catnip, essential oil of Chamomile, essential oil of Cinnamon, essential oil of Cistus, essential oil of Citronella, essential oil of Clary Sage, essential oil of Clove, essential oil of Coriander Seed, essential oil of Cornmint, essential oil of Copaiba Balsam, essential oil of Cypress, essential oil of Davana, essential oil of Elemi, essential oil of Eucalyptus, essential oil of Everlasting (Helichrysum), essential oil of Fennel, essential oil of Fir Needle, essential oil of Frankincense, essential oil of Galbanum, essential oil of Geranium, essential oil of Geranium Rose, essential oil of essential oil of Ginger, essential oil of Grapefruit, essential oil of Hop, essential oil of Hyssop, essential oil of Inula, essential oil of Jasmine, essential oil of Juniper Berry, essential oil of Lavender, essential oil of Lemon, essential oil of Lemon Myrtle, essential oil of Lemon Tea Tree, essential oil of Lemon Verbena, essential oil of Lemongrass, essential oil of Lime, essential oil of Litsea Cubeba, essential oil of Lovage, essential oil of Marjoram, essential oil of Mandarin, essential oil of Melissa, essential oil of Myrrh, essential oil of Neroli, essential oil of Niaouli, essential oil of Nutmeg, essential oil of Orange, essential oil of Oregano, essential oil of Palamarosa, essential oil of Palo Santo, essential oil of Patchouli, essential oil of Peppermint, essential oil of Peru, essential oil of Balsam, essential oil of Petitgrain, essential oil of Pine Needle, essential oil of Plai, essential oil of Ravensara, essential oil of Ravintsara, essential oil of Rosalina, essential oil of Rose, essential oil of Rosehip, essential oil of Rosemary, essential oil of Rosewood, essential oil of Sage, essential oil of Sandalwood, essential oil of Sea Buckthorn, essential oil of Spearmint, essential oil of Spike Lavender, essential oil of Spikenard, essential oil of Spruce, essential oil of Tagetes, essential oil of Tangerine, essential oil of Tea Tree, essential oil of Thyme, essential oil of Tuberose, essential oil of Turmeric, essential oil of Valerian Root, essential oil of Vanilla, essential oil of Vetiver, essential oil of Wintergreen, essential oil of Yarrow, and essential oil of Ylang Ylang. 
 
     
     
       6. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein
 the one or more malodor-controlling compositions comprises a blend of essential oils comprising clove oil, bay laurel oil, lemon oil, melissa oil, coriander oil, eucalyptus oil, cinnamon bark oil, citronella oil, palamarosa oil, and clary sage oil. 
 
     
     
       7. An article of manufacture for the control of malodor and moisture, comprising
 an encasement, the encasement having at least one compartment, and at least one surface which is gas-permeable, and wherein the at least one compartment contains a malodor and moisture control composition, the malodor and moisture control composition comprising smectite clay, a diluent, and at least one malodor-controlling composition. 
 
     
     
       8. The article of manufacture of  claim 7 , wherein
 the encasement is made of fabric. 
 
     
     
       9. The article of manufacture of  claim 7 , further comprising
 one or more fragrance compositions dissolved within a fixative substance. 
 
     
     
       10. The article of manufacture of  claim 9 , wherein
 the fixative substance is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. 
 
     
     
       11. The article of manufacture of  claim 7 , wherein
 the one or more fragrance compositions dissolved within a fixative substance is contained in a separate compartment from the malodor and moisture control composition. 
 
     
     
       12. The article of manufacture of  claim 7 , further comprising
 a malodor-absorbing component. 
 
     
     
       13. The article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein
 the malodor absorbing component is activated carbon. 
 
     
     
       14. The article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein
 the malodor-absorbing component is contained in a separate compartment from the mixture comprising the malodor and moisture control composition. 
 
     
     
       15. The article of manufacture of  claim 7 , comprising
 two separate encasements, each comprising one or more compartment, the one or more compartments containing the malodor and moisture control composition.